NAFO Members Are Committed to Sustainability

Private working forests provide environmental, economic and social benefits to meet the needs of present and future generations and are a fundamental part of the basic natural resources infrastructure of our nation. Private working forests produce recyclable and reusable wood and paper products society wants and needs; absorb and store carbon; produce clean water and air; sustain vital plants and wildlife; provide quality recreation experiences; and supply a growing source of renewable energy.

Sustainable forest management integrates the production of useful renewable products with conservation of healthy and diverse forest ecosystems across the landscape. Sustainable forest management incorporates practices including planting seedlings and natural seeding, conserving soil and water, maintaining wildlife and fish habitat, and protecting air and water quality.

All NAFO members, as a condition of membership, agree to comply with the following Sustainability Principles in the management of their working forests dedicated to NAFO membership:

Maintain effective internal processes to ensure that our forest management practices adhere to all applicable local, state and federal laws.

Manage our working forests using methods that support wildlife and fish habitat, biodiversity, soils, air and water quality and aesthetic values.

Maintain a program to address forest management in adverse weather conditions.

Use qualified natural resource professionals to manage our working forests.

Confirm the use of Best Management Practices by our contractors, suppliers and loggers.

Support measures to counteract illegal logging and associated illegal trade.

Support research and technology development on the sustainable management of working forests.

The CEO of each member company has attested to the member’s commitment to incorporate these principles into its business operations for management of its working forests. Each member annually notifies NAFO of the method used to verify—through a third-party—a transparent and credible process, and its company’s adherence to these principles. Such methods shall be available to the public and may include:

An independent, third-party certification of lands and operations;

An audited Environmental Management System meeting the requirements of ISO 14001 that incorporates the NAFO Sustainability Principles;

Confirmation of conformance to the NAFO Sustainability Principles by a State Forester Audit (where such audits exist) of compliance with the NAFO sustainability principles;

Confirmation of conformance to the NAFO Sustainability Principles by a third-party review committee, which should at least include outside forestry experts; or

Confirmation of conformance to the NAFO Sustainability Principles by an independent and credentialed forestry audit professional.